Browse the obituary of residing in the province of T-N for funeral details
Martin passed away peacefully surrounded by family at the Miller Centre in St. John’s on March 2, 2024 at age 69 years.
Born in St. John’s, NL, he was predeceased by his father Martin Farrell, mother Mary (Dober) Farrell and brothers Joseph Farrell and John Thomas Farrell.
He is survived by his wife Lizeta (Nolan) and sons Ian (Jennifer), Marc (Sherri-Lee), grandchildren Evan, Liam & Katie Farrell, Mason Power, and Eve & Leah Elson, sisters Bride Farrell (Graham Stebbings) and Nora Lake (Peter), brothers Bern (Marg), John (Rosemary), Norman & Clarence Farrell (Mary-Lou Bennett).
He is also survived by his in-laws, Lenora Dober (Bernard), Pauline Cameron, Maureen Nolan (Rudy Banfield) and Vincent Nolan. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews, and a large circle of friends.
Martin was a lifelong educator. His teaching career began in Cartwright in 1975 and it was where his love of Labrador and the north was born. In 1977, teaching took him to Goose Bay and onto Churchill Falls in 1979. At Eric G. Lambert School, he later moved into administration, serving as school vice-principal.
He was a dedicated teacher who truly invested in his students and helped them see their potential, in the classroom and beyond, whether it was through running or chess clubs. And while many tried to out run him, we’re pretty sure no one ever did.
Martin’s speed on his feet was only matched by the speeds he liked to travel on his skidoo, leaving anyone on board holding on for dear life. More than once, as he tore down a lake, Marc or Ian recall being catapulted off into the snow, something he only noticed once he slowed down at the other end.
A longtime member of the Northern Rangers and the Churchill Falls Mine and Rescue team, Martin loved adventure, to be outdoors and part of a group, and to be called on out of the blue to help.
Martin ‘retired’ from teaching in 2006, but never seemed to fully understand what that meant. Not one to sit at home, before long he was back teaching in northern Manitoba with his sister Nora. He also explored other paths – he owned a gas station for a while, got his real estate license, went to work for the Commissionaires and drove a school bus. He also considered joining the Air Force and regularly peppered his niece Melanie with questions about life in the military.
In 2013, he headed to Igloolik, Nunavut where he served as principal and vice principal over six years. He also ran the school’s breakfast program, and was out the door early every morning to make toast and the macaroni soup his students raved about. Martin loved to cook, with a good shot of brandy often serving as his secret ingredient in dishes he whipped up at home. His Boxing Day brunches were legendary and those lucky enough to swing an invite left stuffed to the gills. As his grandkids will attest, even his tea tasted good, as they dipped many pieces of toast into his cup.
Anyone who knew Martin knew he was not blessed with much in the way of patience – something he came by honestly. His Irish temper was legendary among his students, who had a healthy fear of making him mad. The little patience he had was particularly tested when he set about building his cabin on Doghouse Lake in Churchill. Ian recalls learning to swear from the days he tagged along during its construction.
That said, Martin’s bark was much worse than his bite. He was an animal lover who had a very short-lived hunting career, as he couldn’t bring himself to hurt the beautiful caribou with the big brown eyes that passed through Churchill most winters. He would spend hours in the backyard watching birds and squirrels and took great pleasure playing with his dogs Storm and Treasure. When he finally retired from teaching and left Nunavut, the many dogs he fed and helped while he was there probably missed him the most.
He took less mercy on those he played cards with. He loved a rowdy game with friends, when the men often faced off against the women. And as someone always prone to mischief, he never shied away from a bit of cheating if it meant he won in the end and walked away with bragging and taunting rights.
Martin meant a lot to many and his witty nature was often at the heart of laughs with his family and friends. He’s gone far too soon and certainly won’t be hard to miss. He leaves a huge hole in our lives in his wake.
Visitation for family members will be held Tuesday, March 5 from 1-2 pm at Caul’s Funeral Home, 84 LeMarchant Road in St. John’s. A public visitation will also be held Tuesday, March 5 from 2-4 pm, and again at 7-9 pm.
A funeral mass will be held at 10 am at Sacred Heart Parish in Marystown on Wednesday, March 6. Burial will follow.
March 2 2024
Death notice for the town of: Marystown, Province: T-N
death notice Martin Farrell March 2 2024
obituaries notice Martin Farrell March 2 2024
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Martin Farrell March 2 2024 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
